SANTA CLARA — Without his top pass catchers on the field, Trey Lance let it rip on Day 2 of 49ers' mandatory minicamp.
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Danny Gray all sat out of team drills on Wednesday and Jauan Jennings was on the field in a very limited amount of snaps. Lance still had a productive practice, including airing out the ball with two back-to-back deep completions during 7-on-7 work.
Lance’s first touchdown throw traveled at least 40 yards down field and was caught by Ray-Ray McCloud III. The former Pittsburgh Steeler wideout was being covered by safeties Leon O’Neal and Tayler Hawkins.
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The sophomore quarterback’s second deep pass went straight down the middle of the field, into the awaiting hands of tight end Jordan Matthews as he crossed the goal line. Both O’Neal and Hawkins were in coverage for both eye-popping plays.
Samuel did not hold back his excitement on the sidelines after both touchdown passes, celebrating with his offensive counterparts and jokingly chirping at his defensive teammates.
Nick Bosa and Trent Williams participated in exercises with their position groups but like Samuel, they did not take part in team drills on the field. Lance shared that just having the star players in the building has heightened the energy.
“Deebo’s a guy we love to have in the locker room," Lance said on Tuesday. "It's good to have him, Trent, Bosa, all those guys back. I talk to Deebo a ton, even when he's not here. It's obviously good to have him back. Just his vibe on the field, his energy. Him, Trent and Bosa, when they're in the building, it's a little bit different.”
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49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans spoke on Wednesday about feeling the same increased intensity with the team’s top players in attendance.
“Those guys are not only the talent they have, who are top-notch, all-pro players but they bring a different energy to our team,” Ryans said. “They are big-time play makers, but they’re also big-time personalities as well. They bring good energy. It’s great to have your best players here and it makes practice a lot more fun.”
Other 49ers' practice notes
-- O’Neal dished out a little payback during 11-on-11 work, intercepting a pass from Lance that was intended for KeeSean Johnson.
-- Nate Sudfeld was intercepted by linebacker Oren Burks on a pass intended for tight end Tanner Hudson that floated through the air.
-- McCloud and Matthews didn’t just flash in their touchdown receptions from Lance. Both receivers seemed to be the preferred targets in the team’s second practice of the week. All three quarterbacks connected with the top two playmakers of the day.
-- With Elijah Mitchell not participating in team drills, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Trey Sermon were in the backfield with the first team. JaMycal Hasty and Jordan Mason took the remainder of the carries.
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-- Talanoa Hufanga was seen on the field lined up next to Jimmie Ward on the first-team defense for the second practice in a row.
-- Jake Brendel resumed his spot at center when Lance was on the field. Aaron Banks was seen at left guard while Jaylon Moore was at right guard.
-- Several veterans including George Kittle, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Mike McGlinchey and Charvarius Ward did not do any work on the field with the team as the they remain cautious in regards to injuries.